Bail applications of two suspects dismissed

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court and an additional district and sessions judge on Wednesday dismissed bail applications moved by two women accused of blasphemy.

LHC dismissed the bail application of one Waliha Irfan on statutory grounds. She had been arrested for allegedly desecrating copies of the Holy Quran. Asma Jahanjir, counsel for the petitioner, told the court that her client had spent more than three years in prison. “There had been no significant development in her trial in the district and sessions court,” Jahangir said.

She said prosecution witnesses had told the court that they had seen nothing that would lead to her client’s conviction in the case.

She said the case was being dragged on over one pretext or another.

Ghulam Mustafa, counsel for the complainant, said Irfan herself was responsible for the delay.

He said seven prosecution witnesses had recorded their statements and their examination had been completed.

“Then, on the request of petitioner’s counsel, the witnesses were questioned again,” he said. He said statements of two witnesses were awaited.

He said Irfan had changed more than 10 lawyers, which had caused the delay.

The judge then dismissed the bail on statutory grounds.

Separately, an additional district and sessions judge dismissed the bail application of a woman accused of claiming prophethood.

Counsel for the petitioner said according to a report furnished by the medical board, his client had Schizoaffective disorder. He said she should not be tried on account of mental illness. Counsel for the complainant said the woman was perfectly healthy.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2015.